Potential and strengths

Moc Chau National Tourist Area serves as both the gateway to Son La province and a bridge connecting Hanoi and the Northern Delta region with the Northwestern provinces; it is considered one of the most important national tourist areas on the "Through the Northwest" travel route, along the vital National Highway 6.

Moc Chau National Tourist Area has a total planned area of ​​206,150 hectares, spanning two districts, Moc Chau and Van Ho. It boasts diverse, rich, unique, and attractive tourism resources, both natural and cultural. The Moc Chau plateau is blessed with beautiful landscapes, a system of caves, waterfalls, and majestic mountains and forests, such as: Bat Cave, Ban On Five Caves, Dai Yem Waterfall, Tat Nang Waterfall, Nang Tien Waterfall, hot springs in Phu Mau village, and pine forest in Ban Ang, etc.

Tourists visit and experience Dai Yem Waterfall in Muong Sang commune, Moc Chau district.
Photo: Pham Duc

This area is also home to many kinds of flowers, especially peach blossoms, plum blossoms, bauhinia flowers, and mustard flowers… The lush green tea hills are also a highlight that attracts tourists. Pha Luong Peak, nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, is located near the Vietnam-Laos border and is among the top 19 most beautiful and pristine tourist destinations in Northwest Vietnam, boasting majestic mountain scenery.

Tourists visit and take photos at the canola flower hill in Long Luong commune, Van Ho district.
Photo: Pham Duc

The plateau region possesses rich cultural heritage values ​​with significant potential for tourism development. The area currently has 4 national-level historical sites and nearly 20 provincial-level historical sites. Many unique cultural values ​​of the Thai, Mong, Dao, Xinh Mun, La Ha, and Muong ethnic groups are preserved, including 7 national intangible cultural heritage sites. Many ethnic villages still maintain traditional cultural practices, such as: traditional house architecture; traditional crafts; the Tang Me cave archaeological site… The area also boasts historical landmarks and relics, such as: the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment Memorial, the Moc Ly fort, and the site where President Ho Chi Minh spoke with cadres and workers of the Moc Chau State Farm…

Het Cha Festival in Dong Sang commune, Moc Chau district
Photo: PV

Graham Cooke, founder and chairman of the World Travel Awards, commented: National tourist areas Moc Chau is the "diamond" of Son La province, blessed with majestic landscapes, a cool climate year-round, and a wealth of natural tourist attractions. It offers unique cultural tourism services from 12 ethnic minority groups, including overnight stays in stilt houses, sampling traditional dishes, and learning about a new and different way of life; truly a valuable asset.

Create differentiation, specialize.

The master plan for the construction of Moc Chau National Tourist Area, Son La province, until 2030 was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 128/QD-TTg dated January 25, 2019, and the zoning plan and detailed construction plan of the National Tourist Area were developed on the basis of preserving nature and preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.

Seven-tiered waterfall in Chieng Khoa commune, Van Ho district
Photo: PV

Adhering closely to the planning, Son La province directed relevant departments, along with the two districts of Moc Chau and Van Ho, to focus on tourism development, ensuring a harmonious balance of economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors; and balancing the interests of all stakeholders involved in tourism activities. This includes strengthening tourism management; planning and managing the plan to ensure harmony with the environment and prevent disruption of natural landscapes; developing tourism infrastructure; and enhancing tourism promotion and marketing.

The Tha Khenh dance performance by the Mong ethnic group in Bac Au village, Van Ho commune.
Photo: PV

Comrade Tran Dan Khoi, Secretary of the Moc Chau District Party Committee, informed: Since 2018, the Moc Chau District Party Committee has directed the District People's Committee to issue decisions on planning several conservation areas for tourism development in the district, such as: Approving the planning project for the protection zone of the rice paddies in the pine forest resort area of ​​Ban Ang, Dong Sang commune, with a total area of ​​60.8 hectares; Planning the grassland of Moc Chau Farm; approving the planning project for the protection and development zone of Na Ka plum valley, belonging to Pa Khen sub-area, Moc Chau Farm town, with a total area of ​​90 hectares. These are tourist destinations closely associated with nature and the characteristics of the Northwest mountainous region, creating synergy between agricultural development and tourism, building new and attractive tourism products, and attracting a large number of tourists to the Moc Chau National Tourist Area.

Van Tay Tea Hill, Moc Chau Farm Town

Thanks to correct and effective development orientations, Moc Chau National Tourist Area has become an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists, especially winning the prestigious award of "World's Leading Nature Destination" for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023.

Mr. Tran Xuan Viet, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, affirmed: Natural and cultural tourism resources have become a strength of the Moc Chau National Tourist Area, serving as a driving force for sustainable tourism growth and development. The trend among international tourists is to prefer and choose places with pristine natural landscapes and intact cultural heritage. Son La province is preserving its natural landscapes, maintaining their original features, and creating unique and distinctive experiences to attract tourists.

Winning the hearts of tourists.

Moc Chau National Tourist Area has 324 accommodation establishments, of which 54 have been ranked and evaluated as meeting standards for serving tourists; there are 395 food and beverage establishments; and 58 shopping establishments serving tourists. The area is increasingly home to many tourist areas, attractions, and service facilities, offering numerous attractive tourism products that draw large numbers of visitors to explore and experience.

Mr. Mai Tri Tue, Deputy General Director of 26 Moc Chau Tourism Joint Stock Company, informed: Moc Chau Island Tourist Area of ​​26 Moc Chau Tourism Joint Stock Company is a large-scale entertainment and resort complex in the Northwest region. A highlight is the Bach Long glass bridge, which holds 3 world records recognized by 3 prestigious international organizations: the world's longest cliffside walkway; the world's longest glass-bottom bridge; and the world's longest glass bridge, measuring 632 meters. In addition, we also have a high-end resort with a train-themed hotel; and unprecedented adventure games in the Northwest, such as: Zipline "Exploring the Sky," becoming a racer with the F1 Kart Club, sliding on rainbow-colored Air-slides, exploring the Sacred Bird Cave…

Bach Long Glass Bridge at Moc Chau Island Tourist Area

One of the attractive tourist destinations that draws many visitors to the plateau is the Bản Áng Pine Forest Tourist Area in Đông Sang commune, covering nearly 50 hectares. It is likened to a "miniature Da Lat" with towering ancient pine trees stretching around a picturesque 3-hectare natural lake, as well as a resort and entertainment area.

Moc Chau's pedestrian street and night market offer a vibrant space showcasing cultural and artistic values, traditional crafts, and agricultural products produced by local ethnic communities. The Nordic Village resort in Hua Tat village, Van Ho commune, nestled amidst lush pine forests, features bungalows with unique architecture reminiscent of Nordic villages…

Moc Chau National Tourist Area also hosts many attractive events to entice tourists. In spring, the plateau is bustling with Peach Blossom Festivals, Bauhinia Flower Festivals, Het Cha Festivals, Rain Prayer Festivals, and Hot Air Balloon Festivals. Summer features the Orchid Festival, the Highland Tea Festival, and the Fruit Harvesting Festival. Autumn brings excitement with the Ethnic Culture Festival, showcasing unique cultural and artistic activities that honor the cultural values ​​of the local ethnic groups. Winter brings vibrant cultural and sporting events held in cultural villages, tourist destinations, and scenic spots, inviting visitors to explore and experience them.

The 2023 Off-Road Motorcycle Race in Van Ho Commune, Van Ho District
Photo: Pham Duc

To enhance the attractiveness and experience of tourists visiting Moc Chau National Tourist Area, local authorities are promoting digital transformation and applying Industry 4.0 technologies to tourism promotion and development. A prime example is the Moc Chau Tourist Area Management Board's "Application of Virtual Reality Technology to Promote Moc Chau Tourism via VR" (mocchautourism.com/vi/moc-chau-360); Moc Chau district has also developed a digital tourism map of Moc Chau (Smart Interactive 3D/360 Tourism - Moc Chau-Son La).

Mr. Phung Quang Thang, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Society of Travel Agents, shared: Moc Chau National Tourist Area has been developing strongly. Through the province's communication and investment promotion, as well as connecting with travel businesses, especially through direct site inspections, we have realized that this is a place with many attractive tourist destinations, allowing companies to organize many tours throughout the year.

Preserving and promoting the potential and strengths of natural and cultural tourism resources, Moc Chau National Tourist Area develops harmoniously and sustainably, continuing to affirm its position on the domestic and international tourism map, especially conquering the hearts and choices of tourists.

Pham Duc

Moc Chau National Tourist Area – the “diamond” of Son La province (baosonla.org.vn)